House Ailurus
by Moonflower
0 Tomes 2 Tourneys
House Avis by Misades
0 Tomes 1 Tourney
House Chiroptera by Dani Adventures
1 Tome 0 Tourneys
A salmon pink banner with a white rabbit head in the center. Text:
House Lapin by Dani Adventures
2 Tomes 3 Tourneys
Meles Minor House Crest by Shyredfox
0 Tomes 3 Tourneys
House Mollusca by Dani Adventures
1 Tome 2 Tourneys
House Sauropoda by DaniAdventures/ShyRedFox
1 Tome 1 Tourney

House Meles ([ hous MEH-leez ] | / haʊs ˈmɛ liz /)

Words By Claw or Paw

House Meles is a Minor House. We've participated in every Game of Tomes event since its inception in November 2020. —Missive provided by the Meles Board of Tourism.

  House Meles is a Minor House. We are proud to have participated in every Game of Tomes war and tourney. Princess Badger Purpleheart leads the house and her coronation as Queen is expected in July of 2025.   Most Melesians are Badgers and Werebadgers, but we welcome all beings. Foxes, cats, humans, and many others have made their home here in the Meles Protectorate.

Structure

House Meles is a constitutional monarchy, headed by the "Meles Trifecta". First of whom is our Crown Leader or our Regent (if the Crown Leader is unable or unavailable to handle the duty of leadership). Below the Crown are the Prince and Princess Badgers, Regent, and Seneschals, who advise the Crown Leader and help carry and lessen the burden of the Crown. They act as the Paw of the Great Badger.
The Great Badger
The Great Badger by Shyredfox + Hero Forge
 

Current Meles Trifecta members:

  • Queen Badger Purpleheart
    (Current Meles Leader, coronation June 25, 2025.)
  • Princess Badger ShyRedFox
  • Prince of Badgers Galakrond
  •   Even though the Meles Protectorate is a monarchy, we value the voice of all Melesians and take issues brought to the Trifecta and its supporting boards seriously. We hold the Allthing meeting multiple times a year in various locations, where the Protectorate population can voice their opinions and bring issues before the Crown. Recent advancements in Literomantic technology have allowed for all to join in digitally if they are unable to attend in person.
    AllThing broadcast
    Allthing meeting being broadcast across the protectorate by Shyredfox + HeroForge
      As per the constitution, lay groups, called boards, specific to the needs—rights, transportation, education, etc.—handle most of the populace's concerns. Melesians are called to serve on boards every 5 years for a 3 month term.   The Trifecta may do as they need. Their powers include the power to go to war, levy taxes, etc. It is the duty of the Trifecta to call an emergency Allthing should a tyrant take the Throne or become Seneschal. Only in the Allthing could a tyrant be stripped of authority and literomantic power.   Rumors of a terrifying Great Badger in the distant past have prompted giving this emergency power to the Allthing and giving the Trifecta members the burden of calling the meeting. This is why there are always three. Two that have an opportunity to call for the Allthing and keep the balance of power.   So far, the Allthing call for impeachment has not been required. But in the Fourth Word War, when Prince Galakrond fell to the horde and Seneschal Shyredfox was bedazzled by the Nite Queen AttorraRu, having the third member of the Trifecta was invaluable. Seneschal Purpleheart was able to keep stability for the Meles evacuation.  
    Meles Librarian
    Meles Librarian by Shyredfox + Hero Forge

    Culture

    Melesians tend to be peaceful, keeping to ourselves as we go about day-to-day life. Though, we have a lighthearted side that emerges as you get to know us. Our humor is often self depricating, but that doesn't mean we look down on ourselves. We have fierce pride and our humbling humor is a balance to that side.   We can be intensely stubborn and dig ourselves into some pretty deep holes (plot or otherwise). But when we see another in trouble, we're happy to lend a hand or dig another space in the Den for any who need a place to stay.
    Badger Family
    A family of badgers on a walk near the Windy Willows by EyeEm
     

    Always on Guard

    Despite the desire to live quietly, war has come to our protectorate too many times to be naive or lax about the need for security. The Undead Hordes have targeted our lands, thinking we would just bow down and welcome their reign of terror.   Our numbers may be few, but House Meles has a powerful army full of brave and steadfast badgers and badger-kith. Through strengthening our bonds with our allies and working together, Meles will always meet the undead head on. We don't back down.   We are watchful and constantly update our state-of-the-art security measures and wards. Regent Prince Galakrond heads the ward mages and checks the wards often. Every Melesian, civilian or military, is trained what to do when scouts spot zombies. Captain Purpleheart heads the royal guard, the Brocktrees, and ensures daily training is kept up to date to match the latest information on the Hordes.
    Young Badgers and Sentry
    Young Badgers whispering how they want to be like the sentry by SRF + Hero Forge
     

    Creature Companions

    Local creatures may adopt a Melesian. The word "pet" doesn't quite fit, because the animal companion picks the Melesian rather than the other way around. We call these special creatures dyr kin, since they become an equal member of the Melesian's family. The bond allows the dyr kin to communicate with its meles kin. Baby badger scouts often bond like this with a Brocktree of their choice.   Notable dyr kin examples include Purpleheart's cat companion—Stormy the mini Tiger, Regent Prince Galakrond's snarky, summoned demon in raven form—Boodles, and Shyredfox's baby badger—Clawdia.

    History

    Three-Way Treaty: Trade, Equal Benefits, and Desserts!

    In June 2025, House Meles met with House Ailurus, and House Sauropoda on Mackinac Island, Michigan, for the mutually beneficial Claw Summit's Fudge Festival and Treaty. Meles and Ailurus, together, ceded Michigan to Saurpoda to let Regent Dazzlinkat be able to live in her old hunting grounds and to help the Dino herds.   The treaty also resulted in many benefits for our House, including increased trade of orchard products, still getting copper from the Michigan UP mines, stipends of pecans, Maine lobster, and clam chowder. The three Houses are also freely allowing mutual arts and entertainment, transport, and education benefits and reciprocal dessert trades.  
    While House Meles was happy to help and the treaty is a beautiful and fun thing, let it be noted that the Badgers have given more territory than any other House. We are not able to cede any more territory, no matter how good the cause.
     

    Tourney of Tales April 2025

    House Meles participated in Tourney of Tales April 2025. We allied with House Ailurus to repay the kindness they showed us with their support in the past.  

    Game of Tomes 2024

    House Meles participated and allied with House Sauropoda. After Sauropoda's fall, Meles joined with House Lapin and was proud to count our words with the house that defeated the The Undead Horde 2024.  

    Tourney of Tales July 2024

    House Meles participated and allied with House Sauropoda again.   The Late Great Badger's Diary was discovered to acknowledge Purpleheart and ShyRedFox as his daughters (and half sisters to Darth Nikolas). After verification of the legitimacy of the diary, the two took on the title of Princess Badger.  

    Tourney of Tales April 2024

    House Meles participated and allied with House Sauropoda.   After the The Fourth Word War, Lord Galakrond also went MIA.  

    Conversion to a Minor House

    In March 2024, the Great House of Meles requested permission to revert to a Minor House at the Great Meeting of Houses. Due to Meles being the first protectorate attacked by the Zombie Undead Hordes several wars in a row which decimated their population, it was not possible for Meles to manage such a large territory. The request was granted.   In the Meles Ailurus Treaty of 2024, Meles agreed to cede their southern territory and coast to Ailurus. In return, Meles gained the lucrative northwest coast (the entirety of the Ailurus lands at that point).   Regent Prince Galakrond, the Meles Heir, stepped up to lead our House in March 2024. It was expected, in time, he would ascend to become the new Great Badger.   History Continued (click to view)

    Badger King and Consort MIA

    The whereabouts of The Great Badger and his Bardger Consort Realm of Music are unknown. They were last seen around The Fourth Word War and we are sad to report they are missing in action.

     

    Game of Tomes 2023

    House Meles participated in Game of Tomes 2023. It was the first house to fall to the Undead Horde.
     
    Week 1 Casualties
    Guards that fell
    Stormy, Lord Galakrond
    Tome Knight Badgers that fell
    WriterSylvi, Katnip, evil_ink_pen
      Meles took refuge with House Chiroptera, who warmly welcomed them during the second week of the war. Shortly after the announcement, it was revealed that the Nite Qween AttorraRu had bedazzled ShyRedFox (via glittterbomb, chocolate, and hypnosis) into closing the portal to House Lapin, their Woodland Family Allies.   The next week, after apologies to both the bunnies and the bats, Meles sheltered with House Lapin. Though the battle was fierce, Lapin was the next to fall to the Horde. The Nite Qween took out body guard after body guard from Lapin and House Ailurus in her onslaught.  
    Week 3 Casualties
    Tome Knight Badgers that fell
    Shyredfox and Arialearendeair


     

    Tourney of Tales July 2023

    House Meles was the victor of the Tourney of Tales of July 2023. We are grateful to House Ailurus for their help. Without them it wouldn't have been possible.

     

    Tourney of Tales April 2023

    House Meles participated in the Tourney of Tales April 2023.

     

    Game of Tomes 2022

    by SRF + Hero Forge
    (L to R) RedAngel, CathWolfie, WritingSurreal, BladeOfGlory6, Mercenary Erin Righ (who calls Meles home), Brocktree First Lieutenant ZoeTheWriter, Brocktree First Lieutenant Stormy, Prince Xantos, Prince Batman, Princess Missi, Prince General Galakrond, The Great Badger—King Darth Nikolas, Royal Consort Realm, Princess Jellybean, Princess Salem, Princess Monkey, Brocktree Captain Purpleheart, Brocktree Chief Master Sergeant Shyredfox, Titchasaurus, WordiGirl, Eoiselle, Stormie
      House Meles participated in Game of Tomes 2022. It was the first house to fall to the The Undead Horde 2022.
     
    The Fall (Round 1)
    Despite having a welcome influx of new Badgers, House Meles was the first house to fall on Nov 6, 2022 with 162,804 words. Meles was just barely behind House Chiroptera, who with the advantage of an alliance with House Ailurus escaped the first attack of the The Undead Horde.

     
    Tome Stolen
    Shocking the entire house, Lord Galakrond stole the The Iron Tome from House Lapin in an attempt to solve the issues from The Company kidnapping and taking over his mind. ECC Books, having recently turned into The Nite Monarch ICC Dead People, fought with General Galakrond over the tome. General Galakrond died and turned into The Nite Prince GalaWight. They are currently both leading the Undead Horde.

     
    Fallen Badgers (Round 1)
    Badgers that bravely fought to protect our den and fell to the horde that day were:
  • Eoiselle
  • Brocktree Purpleheart
  • Tichasaurus
  • RedAngel
  • WordiGirl
  • Prince Xantos

  •  
    The King's Speech
    The Great Badger's Speech to the House Members (Non RP)
    Meles, While it is sad to see our house fall today, I want all of you to know that I could not be more proud of what we accomplished. Meles started this war with only a few members and has probably doubled in size since we started. Each word you wrote is one that Meles would have never had without you! It warms my heart to know that we were able to knock out more than THREE full NaNo's together and it is an honor to fight the Undead at the side of such brave, talented Tome Knights.   We may have fallen in 2022, but the House of Badgers is growing fast and I'm excited to see where the next year will take us. I'm thinking "Badgers 2023" has a nice ring to it...

     
    Refuge with House Lapin
    The Great Badger and The Royal Family fled to the The Warren where they were, despite the circumstances of war, warmly welcomed by the Chief Rabbit Sable Aradia. Our king encouraged surviving Badgers to join them under the safety of the banner of House Lapin.   It was here, House Lapin and House Meles formed the Woodland Family Alliance. Eventually House Ailurus joined, and the alliance added the red panda and additional guard animals to the banner.


     
    The Fall of Lapin (Round 3)
    When House Lapin fell on November 17, 2022, House Meles took refuge with House Sauropoda. Good King RPGDinosaurBob kindly welcomed the badgers and made room for surviving members.

     
    Fallen Badgers (Round 4)
    Members that bravely fought and fell to the horde that day:
  • CathWolfie
  • Monkey
  • BladeOfGlory6


  •  

    Tourney of Tales July 2022

    House Meles participated in the Tourney of Tales July 2022.

     

    Tourney of Tales April 2022

    House Meles participated in the Tourney of Tales April 2022.

     

    Game of Tomes 2021

    House Meles participated in the Game of Tomes 2021 and was the third house to fall to the the Undead Horde 2021.

     

    Tourney of Tales July 2021

    House Meles participated in the Tourney of Tales of July 2021.

     

    Tourney of Tales April 2021

    House Meles was the victor of the Tourney of Tales of April 2021.

     

    Game of Tomes 2020

    House Meles participated in Game of Tomes 2020. It was the second House to fall to the Undead Horde, with its leader being an unfortunate victim of zombification. The members of House Meles who fell to the Horde were cured of their zombification when House Mollusca claimed the Iron Tome.
     


    Technological Level

    Before the Word Wars, House Meles may have been a tad behind some of the other Protectorates. But through hard work and sheer stubbornness we are bridging that gap and meeting our own needs and those of the other Protectorates. Literomantic universities sprang up quickly thanks to the vast Meles Library archives.   We use our skills to take mundane items and processes and turn them into things of the highest caliber. If an item or piece of technology says "Made in the Meles Protectorate", you know it's quality and will last for years to come.

    Agriculture & Industry

    The Meles Protectorate offers a vast array of agriculture and industry. Below is just a sampling.   Lumber, mining, and excavating are major industries. Forests and landscapes are replanted to avoid deforestation or stripping the land. A mining survey was taken after The Third Word War to see if it would be profitable to revive the Tomecake Gold Mine in the Black Hills.
    Badger Mining Trucks
    Badger Mining Trucks in a Row by omid roshan
      Farming and ranching are common in the open ranges and prairies, where grains, soy, corn, millet, sunflowers, vegetables of all kinds, orchards of apples, pears, cherries, and grapes, cattle, hogs, chicken, turkey, bison, and sheep are raised. Honey farms are numerous. The coasts and rivers are used to raise and harvest freshwater fish and seafood.   Non sapient wild herds and flocks may be hunted (after applying for a license) and include deer, elk, antelope, ducks, geese, pheasant, grouse, wild turkey, trout, walleye pike, salmon, and more.   Wind farms are scattered throughout the plains and the coastal deserts. They supply electricity to their areas and parts of the Lapin Protectorate (namely California).   In the larger cities, our industry is strong. All types of machines and items are made. Recently, we've added Literomancy to our production after ShyRedFox first used her own energy to power a 3D printer for Literomantic keyboards to speed the wording efforts for The Fourth Word War. The personal energy expended to power such Literomantic production is costly, and new mages are being trained.   Weaponry and armor are produced in undisclosed locations.   Our major Literomantic Colleges are based in Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, and Missoula. The most prominent STEM colleges are located in Billings, Minneapolis, Rapid City, and Madison.   See also Meles Protectorate under Benefits.

    Trade & Transport

    The Protectorate has sea shipping from the West Coast and Great Lakes, giving us access to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Overland rail and interstates give us land access. Though it can be difficult to get through the passes in the Rockies during winter.   Thus, Meles is built the Meles Wolverine Line, a literomantic powered maglev train system, throughout the protectorate and connecting our neighbors through the Rocky Mountain corridor. Lapin has offered engineers and assistance. Meles plans to negotiate with House Ailurus to see if MagiTech may be used and with House Sauropoda to see if any of the Rave Train technology might also be incorporated.
    Meles Mag Lev Train (in production)
    Meles Mag Lev Train (in production) by Shyredfox + Hero Forge + studio4rt
      Tourism is mostly based in the larger cities and coasts for the culture opportunities and gorgeous forests. Though the plains bring in hunters from other protectorates, too.   See also Meles Protectorate under the Geography section and Meles Ailurus Treaty of 2024 Territory Changes section.

    Education

    Melesians learn through doing. We encourage our population to expand their minds in every subject they can, whether that be higher education or job experience. We respect hard work as much as a degree. Many of our people attend college and trade schools. But there is nothing like hard work and digging to remind us we are all equal.

    Diplomatic Relations

    Embassies and Consulates

    Meles Represented In Other Protectorates
    House Lapin
    Meles Embassy in The Warren and a consulate in Banff, Alberta, Canada
    House Mollusca
    An embassy in Zafforza City in the The Zafforza Trench and a consulate on the Island of Kauai near where Queen DaniAdventures is hibernating (because Princess Shyredfox used to be Queen Dani's loyal guard and still tries to ensure she helps protect the Apis Queen)
       
    Representation for Other Protectorates in Meles Territory
    The following Houses have an embassy in the Den and consulates.
    House Ailurus
    Consulate in Seattle, Washington
    House Chiroptera
    Consulate at Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
    House Lapin
    Consulates in Seattle, Washington and Spearfish, South Dakota
    House Mollusca
    Embassy in the lake across from The Den and consulate in Astoria, Oregon, near where the mouth of the Columbia River meets the Pacific
     

    Inter-House and Inter-Organizational Relation Web

    WIP
    This article is a work in progress, and may be subject to changes.
    Streamer
    This article is part of a series related to streaming the Game of Tomes. For more information, see Streaming Game of Tomes.
    Missing
    Status: Location Unknown
    Deceased
    Status: Deceased Character
    Retired
    Status: Retired Character or Article
    Gold and grey logo with book and text

    Badger on!

    Badger through!

    We can be cute. We can be fierce!

    Navigation

    Navigation


       

    Join House Meles Today!

    by Shyredfox
      Tourney Recruitment   War Recruitment
    Current Monarch
    Queen Badger Purpleheart
    Royal Family
  • Queen Badger Purpleheart
  • The (former) Great Badger Darth Nikolas (MIA)
  • Royal Consort Realm of Music (MIA)
  • Princess Badger ShyRedFox
  • Prince of Badgers Galakrond (heir)
  • The Forgeling Princes and Princesses—Xantos, Missi, Batman, Jellybean, Salem, and Monkey
  • Royal Family Portrait
    A family of two men and four children, the men wearing robes and one in a paper crown, two of the children in bunny ears
    House Meles by Darth Nikolas
     
    Location
    USA (Mountain Timezone)
    Royal Guards
    The Brocktrees
    Founding Date
    1 November 2020
    Type
    Geopolitical, Great house
    Demonym
    Badger(s), Melesians
    Leader Title
    Founders
    Head of State
    Head of Government
    Government System
    Monarchy, Constitutional
    Gazetteer
    Meles territory consists of most of the upper Midwest and northwest of the former United States. (The pre Word War states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.)
    Currency
    The Woodlander Talon is the currency of the Meles Protectorate. Meles Malrani are still in circulation and accepted, but they are no longer being produced. Some Melesians consider the Malrani to be collectors' items.
    Major Exports
    A sampling of our major exports includes Literomantic Keyboards, foodstuffs, seafood, wine, machinery (including mining and excavation equipment), weaponry and armor (to our close allies), paper products, wool, and lumber.
    Major Imports
    The protectorate is fairly self-sustained, but we import a few things such as semiconductors, tropical treats, and silk and cotton.
    Related Ranks & Titles
    Related Species
    Related Ethnicities
    Treaties
  • Claw Summit's Fudge Festival and Treaty
  • Meles Ailurus Treaty of 2024
  • Woodland Family Alliance
  • Major House banner
    retired
    House Meles by Dani Adventures

    Diplomatic Relations

    Meles ↔ Lapin

    99 ↔ 99

    Mutual Interdependence

    Lapin and Meles have never been so close. They have embraced the Woodland Family Alliance completely, with their divided family having been brought together by significant adversity during The Third Word War. They are actively sharing resources, opening borders, embracing dual citizenship and a unified military, and opening up free trade.

    Meles ↔ Mollusca

    10 ↔ 10

    Military Alliance

    Meles and Mollusca have little to do with each other, but bear no hostility. They both trust each other to honour the conditions of the mutual House treaties.

    Meles ↔ Sauropoda

    70 ↔ 60

    Military and Trade Alliance

    The Woodland Family Alliance supported Sauropoda in The Third Word War, and Meles is grateful to Sauropoda for rescuing them from the Fall of Lapin and taking them in during the crisis. They are favourably disposed to one another.

    Meles ↔ Ailurus

    85 ↔ 90

    Mutual Interdependence

    As mutual members of the Woodland Family Alliance, the relationship between the two Houses is excellent. Their leaders are family and have been embracing that relationship. Meles signed the treaty that ceded The Missing House's small Protectorate to Ailurus in the crisis, and the two Houses have developed an excellent, mutually-dependent relationship, with excellent trade relationships, diplomacy, and military support. The Woodlanders have open borders and free trade between them, and have even embraced a common currency. Ailurus has offered their support to Meles for the April 2023 Tourney of Tales, even though the Panda Polemarch is somewhat wary after their failure to notice that Lord Galakrond was being mind-controlled.

    Meles ↔ Avis

    0 ↔ 20

    Military Alliance

    There is some noticeable tension between Avis and Meles. The Regent of Avis seems to have had some sort of axe to grind against Meles, but seems to at least be willing to put it aside and give them a chance, after they connected during The Third Word War. Meles doesn't seem to bear them the same hostility, but there is a certain... awkwardness.

    Meles ↔ Chiroptera

    30 ↔ 40

    Military Alliance

    The two Houses have a history of generally positive relations, but do not usually have much to do with each other.

    Meles ↔ The Company

    -100 ↔ -100

    Mortal Enemies

    Meles and The Company are mortal enemies who will kill each other on sight.

    Chiroptera ↔ Chaos Cartel

    50 ↔ 45

    Well Disposed

    Meles supports the work of the Chaos Cartel, but relations are somewhat tense due to the ongoing rivalry between the Cartel and the Self Care Mafia. Brocktree ShyRedFox is suspected of being the head of the Mafia.

    Meles ↔ The Self-Care Mafia

    80 ↔ 80

    Super-Friendly

    A prominent Meles, Brocktree ShyRedFox, is suspected of being the leader of the Self Care Mafia. As a result, Meles tends to be strongly supportive of the Mafia's agenda.

     


    Cover image: by Shyredfox
    Character flag image: Meles Minor House Crest by Shyredfox

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